Tension has continued to build up in Deputy President William Ruto’s strongholds ahead of the party nomination exercise even as aspirants make their last ditches to impress upon the voters.
Reports of plans to rig the exercise in favor of some aspirants became rife among supporters from rival camps.
There were also concerns about how the party’s National Elections Board had conducted the selection of returning and presiding officers for some counties.
The allegations were, however, dismissed by the party officials as unsubstantiated while promising to issue a statement later on Wednesday to clarify on the matter and announce of other protocols ahead of the Thursday’s crucial exercise.
Billed to be a do or die battle for most bigwigs and seasoned politicians who are facing off with newcomers in some counties, the primaries which will be conducted in 12 counties will be under close monitoring of the top party leadership in a bid to ensure a smooth process.
This will also avert any incidences that might taint the image of the party.
With the DP having kept off any interference in some counties in his Rift valley backyard where he has close allies running for various seats, all eyes will now be on individual candidates as they battle it out with their rivals for the coveted tickets.
Perceived bigwigs who have been close to the DP have, however, remained buoyant that the exercise will be conducted in a transparent manner as promised by the party.
In Kericho, Ruto’s longtime friend and former CS Charles Keter who is eyeing the gubernatorial seat is among those who had been expecting endorsement from the DP.
He suffered a blow on Tuesday after one of his competitors dropped his bid to backed his main rival.
The new entrant in the race, university don Eric Mutai got a boost after Eng Fred Kirui shelved his ambition and agreed to become his running mate.
Keter who has never lost any election will have his date with destiny when he faces off with Mutai.
In one of his campaign rallies at Ainamoi, Keter sought to maintain he was still the favorite among the residents saying, “We have traversed most parts of this country and I know how to do it…we want to finish this exercise on Thursday then go out to focus on Ruto’s presidential seat.”
Governor Hillary Barchok will face off with former CAS John Mosonik in another tight Bomet race where Ruto also has no preferred candidate.
Mosonik has, however, been campaigning on a platform that the deputy president picked him as a principal secretary and subsequently CAS due to his track record and that he was the man to propel the county to achieve such development records.
“The DP has always said it is me who ensured we achieved the great milestone that we have as a country on infrastructure and that is why he has always had confidence to mention my name,” Mosonik said during a function at Konoin.
The situation will be replicated in Nandi and Uasin Gishu where Governor Stephen Sang and Soy MP Caleb Kositany who are both key allies are on the race against other competitors.
Unlike in 2017 where Ruto played a key role towards election of most governors who were his foot soldiers, this time around all candidates will be competing on their own and on a level playground.
Most of those who were expecting to face little challenges in their seats will now face strong opposition from those who were perceived to be critics of the DP since they have joined the races. BY THE STAR